Blackhawks Daily: Coyotes Are Winning–But May Be On Their Way Out

The Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t hold up against the Nashville Predators on Friday night. They were beaten badly by the Predators at the United Center 5-1. Nashville wasn’t the only Central Division team to get a win on Friday night either.  

The Arizona Coyotes took their game on the road to Alberta for a contest against the Edmonton Oilers. Sitting on 99 assists, everyone is waiting for Connor McDavid to reach that 100 assist milestone but he was out of the lineup again trying to come back from injury. 

The biggest story in the NHL is the Arizona Coyotes’ potential move to Salt Lake City, Utah. There are reports that this announcement could be made soon and that players have already been informed. 

Per multiple sources, the Coyotes have been informed that relocation to Salt Lake City is real.
Now hearing it could actually be announced on April 17; the date of the Coyotes’ final game at home vs. Edmonton.
It’s going to be quite an atmosphere that night at Mullett Arena.

— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) April 13, 2024

This is terrible news. Pro sports teams relocating is not good. It means that the franchise was a failure from a business standpoint in many different ways. Arizona has some passionate hockey fans and the Coyotes have meant a lot to the NHL in a few different ways. 

They aren’t as historic as an Original Six team or most that came after but they are well known for being a big reason that Auston Matthews exists. The best goal scorer on the planet may have never tried hockey if the Coyotes didn’t exist. 

We’ve been treated to great players through the years like Shane Doan, Clayton Keller, and now young guys like Logan Cooley. Their iconic Kachina sweaters deserve praise too as hockey fans across the world love them.  With all of this going on, Arizona got the big win over the Oilers to follow up a win over the Vancouver Canucks. They just took four points out of four against the two best teams in the Pacific. 

Although it is cool to see them go out with a bang and see a guy like Josh Doan (Shane Doan’s son) be a big part of it, it’s terribly unfortunate for Arizona if indeed the Coyotes end up leaving the Desert.

Blackhawks In Case You Missed It

• The Chicago Blackhawks have one prospect left in the Frozen Four. He will play in the National Championship on Saturday night.
• Blackhawks Postgame Chatter hears from Ethan Del Mastro, Connor Murphy, and Luke Richardson
• The Blackhawks were no match for Filip Forsberg as he had a hat trick against them. 
• Ethan Del Mastro made his NHL debut on Friday night. Before the Rockford Ice Hogs head to the playoffs, this is a well-deserved opportunity.  

Hockey Now Playoff Focus

• Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins held on to beat the Detroit Red Wings and remain in a playoff spot heading into the weekend.
• Boston Hockey Now: Patrick Maroon is looking to make his Boston Bruins debut this weekend before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.
• Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers are still fighting hard to make the playoffs but it will be hard for them to avoid keeping up with the Frozen Four.
• New York Islanders Hockey Now: Kyle Palmieri‘s overtime goal is helping push the New York Islanders into the postseason.